Smuts House
Museum

History

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Introduction

The Smuts House Museum seeks to represent faithfully the life-style and multi-facetted career of one of South Africa's greatest sons, General J. C. Smuts, and to promote the holistic vision which he expounded in his life and writings.

The Big House - Home of the Smuts family

General Smuts bought, for £300, the wood-and-iron building that had served as the officers' mess. It is believed that the building was originally prefabricated in Britain, taken to India by the British Army and later shipped to South Africa. Now, once again the building was dismantled. It was brought to Pretoria by rail, and thence to the farm Doornkloof by ox wagon, where it was re-erected at the substantial cost of £1000 in 1909. General Smuts was at sea, on the way to England as a member of the National Convention delegation, when Mrs Smuts moved her family into the house on 10 July 1909. The plan was altered on rebuilding, and as the years passed a kitchen and pantry (1918) and other rooms were added, and verandahs were enclosed (front verandah, 1942). The Big House is, however, substantially as it was a century ago. The unpretentious building strikingly illustrates Smuts's indifference to luxury and ease of living, and here he spent the happiest hours of his life. Among the famous guests whom Ouma, Smuts' mother, entertained in her home were the British Royal Family, who visited the Prime Minister and his wife at Doornkloof while on the Royal Tour in 1947. General Smuts found his peace at Doornkloof. It was to Doornkloof that he retreated from the affairs of State which occupied so much of his life. At Doornkloof Smuts could indulge his absorbing passions for botany and philosophy. At Doornkloof he could enjoy the simple life of a farmer, father and grandfather. After his death in 1950, Mrs Smuts continued to live in the only real home she had ever known, until her death in 1954. Both General and Mrs Smuts died in the Big House. Their ashes were scattered, as were other members of the Smuts family, on the top of Smuts Koppie - the rugged hill behind the house.

Botany

General Smuts is widely known for being an avid lover of both Philosophy and Botany. Smuts grew up on the Smuts family farm, Bovenplaats, in the Cape Colony. He would often go out alone and explore the countryside. Throughout his lifetime he went on many botanical expeditions all across South Africa, where he would collect plants. Smuts was also a mountaineer and one of his favourite treks was up Table Mountain. This route is now named Smut's Track in commemoration of the General. His love for botany can be seen in the stunning wild gardens on the Smuts' property. Some of the trees on the stand have very special history to them, such as the Magnolia tree planted by General Smuts from seeds he recieved from his long-time esteemed penpal Emily Hobhouse. The London planetrees on the property also have historical value as they were planted there by MOTH (Memorable Order of the Tin Hats) Shellholes.

Other events include:

Flower walks

Bird walks

Dog walks

Beer fest

Memorial services

Supper talks

The General Smuts Foundation

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Mrs Kitty Smuts, Smuts' daughter, widow of Japie Smuts, inherited the Big House. Finding it difficult to maintain the old house, she offered it to various organisation, but they declined her offers. The Smuts family removed items of furniture and objects of sentimental value from the Big House while items of significant historical interest were donated to institutions best able and willing to preserve them.

In July 1960, a contract was concluded whereby the Big House and 25 morgen (21 hectares or 53 acres) of surrounding land were sold for £7000 by Mrs Kitty Smuts to Mr Brathwaite, an ex-serviceman and Pretoria attorney. Mr Brathwaite personally paid the 10% deposit on the same day. He announced proudly that "Doornkloof had been secured for the nation as a permanent memorial to the Oubaas and Ouma and all the ideals which we cherished and for which we fought during the war years".

A congress of ex-servicemen and servicewomen's organizations was held at Doornkloof on 8 October 1960, at which it was decided that a Section 21 company (i.e. a non-profit company), to be known as the General Smuts War Veterans' Foundation, should be registered "to hold Doornkloof in perpetuity".

The culmination of these early efforts was the declaration, in 1969, of the Big House as a National Monument by notice in the Government Gazette, No. 2551 of 31 October 1969.

In 1994 the name of the General Smuts War Veterans' Foundation was changed to The General Smuts Foundation.

Administration of the Museum

The General Smuts Foundation still owns and administers Doornkloof. The tea garden, caravan park and Village Arts and Crafts Market generate some of the funds necessary for the day-to-day administration of the museum.

The administration of the Smuts House Museum is an interesting model for cultural preservation in South Africa today. Government does not have the resources to preserve the cultural heritage of all interest groups, and the onus for the identification and preservation of specific sites and aspects of history will have to rest on those with a particular interest in their preservation.

Donations in cash and/or Smuts memorabilia will be most gratefully accepted.

The Friends of the General Smuts Foundation

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The Friends of the General Smuts Foundation is a voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting the Museum in practical ways and fundraising and in promoting the vision of the General Smuts Foundation. It is an Incorporated Association not for Gain and is affiliated to the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. Its members are deeply involved in arranging regular cultural activities at the Museum and in developing the grounds. We fundraise by having events such as guided bird walks, guided nature walks and monthly supper talks on various subjects relevant to Smuts and the environment.

Aims of the Friends

Membership fees: per annum (1 April - 31 March)

Benefits to Friends

Apply to be a Member of the Friends

Membership Form